Stroud found guilty during Pa. church trial

December 2, 2004

Stroud found guilty during Pa. church trial

PUGHTOWN, Pa. (UMNS) ? The Pennsylvania United Methodist church trial court returned with a verdict of guilty at 1:35 p.m. on Dec. 2. By a vote of 12-1, the jury in the clergy trial of the Rev. Irene Elizabeth (Beth) Stroud found her guilty of the charge of engaging in "practices incompatible with Christian teachings," a violation of Paragraph 2702 (1) (b) of the 2000 United Methodist Book of Discipline. By the same count of 12-1, she also was found guilty of each of the four specifications related to the evidence on that charge. After a brief recess, the penalty phase of the trial will begin.

After the verdict against the Rev. Irene Elizabeth "Beth" Stroud was announced, the trial court re-convened at 1:47 p.m. to start the penalty phase.

The Rev. Thomas Hall, church counsel, explained that after the confusion over the verdict in the March trial of the Rev. Karen Dammann, a Seattle clergywoman, the denomination's top legislative body had asked the church's Judicial Council on May 4 for a ruling about the appointment of self-avowed practicing homosexuals. In response to that request from General Conference, the Judicial Council stated in Decision No. 985 that a pastor found to be a self-avowed practicing homosexual by a trial court could not be appointed by a bishop.

Hall suggested that since Stroud now cannot be appointed under church law, the trial court should revoke her ministerial credentials. He stressed that he was not asking that Stroud be expelled or suspended and said she could continue as a layperson in The United Methodist Church.

The Rev. J. Dennis Williams, counsel for Stroud, said he was glad to hear that the church counsel was not suggesting she be expelled. Other possible penalties, he noted, include the revoking of credentials or suspension from office "or, says the (Book of) Discipline, you can fix a lesser penalty."

He asked the trial court to remember that Stroud is a person of integrity who loves the church. "Beth Stroud is a woman used by God to build bridges of care across canyons of despair," Williams said. He asked the trial court to "be creative," especially in exploring the option of fixing a lesser penalty.

Bishop Joseph Yeakel, the presiding officer, gave brief instructions to the trial court and told the jurors that seven of the 13 members need to agree on a particular penalty. The penalty would take effect immediately unless otherwise stated by the trial court. The court adjourned at 2 p.m. to begin deliberations on the penalty.

-- Linda Bloom, UMNS

Stroud Trial Update (Statement by Stroud) -- 1:45 p.m., EST, Dec. 2, 2004

PUGHTOWN, Pa. ? Following the 1:35 p.m. guilty verdict, the Rev. Irene Elizabeth "Beth" Stroud, accompanied by counsel Alan Symonette, gave the press a brief statement.

"I did not go into this trial expecting to win," she said. "I went into it knowing that it would be a painful moment in the life of The United Methodist Church and in the life of this annual conference. But I believe that it is important for our church and for the annual conference to experience this pain together and to acknowledge this pain. I am hopeful that in time, and that through God's spirit, that the United Methodist Church will change its Discipline." The Book of Discipline contains the denomination's laws and polity.

When asked what was on her heart, she responded: "A lot of concern for my family and for my congregation. This has been a very emotional time for them. It is painful for them. My congregation was more hopeful than I was myself about an acquittal. I feel for them and am concerned about them."

Reacting to the guilty verdict, she said, "I am not surprised. I would have been overwhelmed with an acquittal, but I think it is important to say that either a guilty verdict or an acquittal would have been a very challenging verdict for The United Methodist Church because we are so divided."

Stroud was asked whether she felt like a martyr. Drawing on the Greek she learned in seminary, she said that "martyr" means witness, a person who stands for what they believe and gives testimony. "God created me as a lesbian and God, knowing that about me, called me into the ministry."

And asked if she was angry, she replied, "I have so many feelings right now. I am angry but also comforted. I appreciate the spirit of these proceedings" but "I feel sad and a little strange. I don't know what the first Sunday at church after this verdict is going to feel like. I have all kinds of feelings."

-- Linda Green, UMNS

For updated reports of the trial, logo on to www.umc.org and click on NEW

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